ETFO Locals Introduce NoToBill115 Campaign

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 22, 2013) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

The Elementary Teachers of Toronto, Durham, York, Simcoe, Peel and Halton have released NoToBill115, a massive political campaign bringing awareness to Bill 115 and the negative implications the bill poses to democracy in the work force.

Passed September 11, 2012, by the Liberals with support from the Progressive Conservatives, Bill 115 stripped public school teachers of their collective bargaining rights, instead imposing contract terms approved by the government and modeled on the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Enforced by Education Minister Laurel Broten, on January 3, 2013, the Bill imposed numerous concessions on education workers, such as reduced sick days, the elimination of bankable sick days, wage freezes and loss of pay due to mandatory unpaid days. The government cynically announced it would repeal the bill immediately after imposing contracts. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has deemed Bill 115 "an unprecedented attack on the civil liberties and constitutional rights of educational workers." Labour leaders are concerned the bill is setting a dangerous precedent that will allow the government to dictate the terms and working conditions of all Ontarians without repercussion.

To bring awareness to Bill 115's attack on democracy, NoToBill115 advertisements have been released in various locations throughout the GTA. Multiple campaign advertisements, released in digital formats, have been placed on billboards and TTC platforms as well as in various residential, business areas and malls across Toronto.

President of ETT, Martin Long says the campaign has been launched to bring awareness to the undemocratic future the bill represents if action is not taken now to support worker rights.

"Bill 115 is an impediment and the result of Bill 115 will continue to be an impediment in the good will of teachers throughout Ontario schools," said Long.

As part of the campaign, ETFO and GTA locals will be holding a Respect for Democracy rally on January 25 starting at 6:30 pm and will be part of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) led rally on January 26 at 1 pm (gathering at 9 am) at Maple Leaf Gardens, Carlton and Church St. For more information about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit www.notobill115.ca!